Participation of the Indian Armed Forces in this exercise underscores India’s commitment to regional peace, stability, and security while enhancing Jointness, interoperability and cooperation with friendly foreign countries.
Exercise ‘Bright Star 2025’
Participation of the Indian Armed Forces in this exercise underscores India’s commitment to regional peace, stability, and security while enhancing Jointness, interoperability and cooperation with friendly foreign countries. Exercise Bright Star is a multilateral exercise hosted by Egypt in conjunction with the US since 1980 and is amongst the largest Tri-Service multilateral exercises in the region.
The exercise is held biennially, with the last edition having taken place in 2023, which witnessed the participation of a host of nations including India along with troops. According to the Egyptian Armed Forces, more than 7,900 troops are expected to take part in this year’s edition, which is being held entirely on Egyptian soil and is anticipated to be one of the most extensive drills ever conducted in the region.
The Indian contingent will actively engage in a wide range of tri-service activities, including:
Live firing exercises by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, demonstrating joint operational capabilities.
A Command Post Exercise (CPX) focused on integrated planning, coordination, and decision-making in a multinational operational environment.
Short training drills involving all three Indian Services, concentrating on various aspects of modern warfare.
Subject Matter Expert (SME) interactions across key domains of contemporary military operations.
Multilateral Exercises
Malabar Exercise: India, USA, Japan, and Australia participate, focusing on maritime security and naval operations in the Indo-Pacific.
RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific): World’s largest international maritime exercise; India takes part along with 25+ nations, including the USA, Australia, Japan, and others.
COBRA-GOLD: Asia-Pacific countries (including India), aimed at improving readiness and cooperation among regional military forces.
Multilateral & Regional Exercises
Bright Star: India collaborates with 34 countries in a multinational exercise focused on enhancing military interoperability.
Force Eighteen: India hosts this exercise with 18 ASEAN Plus nations to improve collective response capabilities.
LIMA: Conducted with Malaysia and other participating states, focusing on maritime security.
Tarang Shakti: A biennial multilateral air combat exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force. The first-ever edition was in August–September 2024, involving 11 countries (like Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, UAE, UK, US) plus observers from 18 others
Other noted multilateral or large joint drills include:
La Perouse (naval): India, Australia, US, France, Japan, UKSea Dragon: India with USA, Japan, Canada, South Korea
KOMODO: Multinational HADR exercise hosted by Indonesia with up to 36 countries
AIME & IMDEX: India with ASEAN nations
Many PASSEX and trilateral exercises like India-France-UAE drills
